Bart Reiter Dobaphone Custom Model 5 String Banjo (2014), made in Lansing, Michigan, serial # 4706, mahogany stain finish, laminated maple rim, laminated mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original brown tolex hard shell case.
Bart Reiter banjos are among the most respected modern/old-time instruments made, built to classic designs to a very high standard. This is a slightly unusual model dubbed the "Dobaphone" equipped with a 19th century Dobson style tone ring, with a metal sheath that cups up downward the head. This one has a large 12" rim with a medium 26" scale neck, resulting in a bridge placement more in the middle of the head than most banjos. The neck is laminated mahogany, the rim has a mahogany overlay. This fairly plain Reiter has some player modifications making for a unique piece, and we think it sounds great (and plays perfectly).
Overall length is 38 1/4 in. (97.2 cm.), 12 in. (30.5 cm.) diameter head, and 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This interesting Bart Reiter has definitely been intended to be someone's gigging banjo, with a number of modifications to that end. There is an added magnetic pickup (we're not sure what make) mounted on the dowel stick, with a jack drilled into rim below the tailpiece. There are added strap buttons on neck heel and rim. The tuners were changed to vintage Kluson style guitar machines from the original Planet style banjo pegs, which does make tuning a bit more precise. A sliding 5th string capo has been added to the neck. The plain unplated tailpiece bracket does not look original.
For all this the banjo does not show too much wear, and does not appear heavily used. This is a really cool sounding banjo with its large rim and medium-scale neck giving it a somewhat archaic tone, very old-timey but still quite modern when electrified with the pickup. A neat gigger of a modern/oldtime banjo, housed in a brown Telex HSC. Excellent - Condition.
